fire protection - Feuerwehr Frankfurt am Main

fire protection
detection. prevention. action
the fire-fighting service of frankfurt am main
Ever since 1874 Frankfurt am Main has maintained a professional fire-fighting service as a civilian authority which employs some 1,000 people to fulfil all the legal requirements regarding fire detection and fire-fighting, as well as averting
danger from the population, the environment and valuable cultural and material assets.
As an independent institution of the Frankfurt am Main City Council, it is not subordinated to the military nor to the
police. The fire-fighters are on round-the-clock duty at 12 fire stations throughout the city and they are called into
action more than 55,000 times each year. Moreover, they are backed by 28 volunteer fire stations in Frankfurt
am Main with some 850 members who are engaged in fire protection and auxiliary aid services, as well as by
local rescue service relief organisations.
We are
instantly there
when needed!
fire – vital for life,
yet often underestimated!
We are all well familiar with fire and how useful it can be in so many different ways in everyday life. Yet, even though it
is so crucial in life, it instantly becomes a very serious menace when it is out of control. Each year there are some 1,900
fires throughout Frankfurt am Main - many of these in residential homes. Most of them are due to carelessness and lack
of attention. Each year around 120 people are injured by such fires.
As a result of purposefully directed preventative action and knowledge on how to conduct oneself in the event of
a fire, many of these people could have remained unharmed. Consequently, this brochure will indicate how fire
hazards can be diminished, how you can protect yourself through appropriate action, and how you can help
the fire-fighting service to render rapid and effective aid.
what is the cause of a fire?
the hazards in day-to-day life ...
Many fires are the result of carelessness and lack of attention. They are caused by defective or incorrectly used electrical appliances as well as by dealing with an open flame inappropriately. For
instance, a candle can fall over and ignite surrounding combustible material. Even after several
hours, the ashes of a cigarette can still cause a fire. Objects placed on a stove can be set alight
Warning:
A small cause –
A devastating
effect!
as a result of intense heat. Lack of attention while ironing can give rise to a similar situation.
Special care must be taken throughout the Christmas period because a Christmas tree and
other decorative arrangements are easily set alight and the resulting fire is very hot. These are
all situations in everyday life which most people would not consider them to be dangerous.
Consequently, it is imperative that you maintain the necessary concentration, especially in
day-to-day life, in order to protect yourself and other people from the dangers of a fire.
it’s burning – what is to be done?
If, in spite of all the precautions you have taken, there is a fire, then your conduct can be the deciding factor between life
and death for yourself and the people around you. Over reaction driven by panic can give rise to a situation that is out
of control. The greatest hazard of a fire is smoke. Most household objects contain different kinds of plastics in varying
amounts. When these plastics burn they release a multitude of poisonous substances in the form of smoke, but also as
invisible gases. Only a few breaths of this smoke can be lethal! When confronted with a fire, always remain calm and
act in a carefully considered manner.
How to proceed in an emergency:
•
•
Warn family members and others in the house.
Dial the emergency telephone number 112 for the fire-fighting service. It will arrive within a few
minutes!
•
Try to extinguish the originating fire, but only if you are certain that you will not be endangering
yourself.
•
Close the door to the room in which the fire is burning to prevent the spread of smoke and
flames.
•
•
If possible, help others who are unable to help themselves.
Leave the building as quickly as possible. Should your escape route by cut off by flames or
smoke, then go to a smoke-free area and close the door behind you. If possible step out
onto a balcony, or stand at a window, and try to attract the attention of the fire brigade.
•
Await the fire brigade and inform them, as short and precisely as possible, what has
happened and the location of the fire.
•
Inform the fire brigade immediately if you know that someone is still in the house.
Remain calm and
always act in a
carefully considered manner!
emergency call … but correctly!
the faster we can be there.
Contact the Fire Service round the clock by the telephone number 112. Contact the Police by the telephone number 110.
We need the following vital information to reach you as quickly as possible and give you the correct help:
1. Where are you?
2. What has happened?
3. How many people are in danger?
4. What are the dangers?
Do not put down the receiver – Await responses.
If, on account of a disability or speech problem, you are unable to conduct a telephone call, then
you can still reach the Fire Service via Emergency Fax. Here, too, still call the emergency telephone
number 112. Then locate the Fax copy in your language under:
www.feuerwehr-frankfurt.de
Emergency
telephone
number
112
we will be there for you:
rescue – recover – extinguish – protect!
why is the fire-fighting service
actually doing this?
We come to help you!
As a city that is administered in its own right, the Hessian Fire and Catastrophe Protection Law obligates Frankfurt to
Our 12 fire stations are located throughout the city area in such a manner that the professional fire fighters and/or the
maintain a Fire Service. Together with the rescue and catastrophe protection services, the Fire Service covers the non-po-
rescue service are usually able to reach you within a maximum of ten minutes after having received the emergency call.
lice and non-military avoidance of dangers. In order to protect you in dangerous situations, the Fire Service may have to
curtail some of your basic rights to ensure the safe repulsion of a danger. The law gives the Fire Service this right!
We extinguish!
If you have called us because of a fire, then we are there to curtail the damage and protect you and your possessions
Why does the Fire Service require access to my property?
from the flames and smoke!
The Fire Service is entitled to enter your property, even your home, when this is absolutely necessary to avert a danger.
Bear in mind: It is always a matter of your safety!
We will get you out!
If your escape route has been cut off by smoke, then go to a smoke-free area and, if possible, stand at a window. We
Why does the Fire Service close off a street?
will carefully pull an escape hood over you so that we can then safely conduct you out of the danger zone.
Even though it may well be a nuisance to become stuck in a tailback, the Fire Service requires space to complete its job.
Blocks of flats with up to 7 storeys usually have no other escape route than the staircase. However, the staircase can
Consequently, it is quite possible that, occasionally, an entire street will have to be closed off.
be affected by the fire, thereby cutting off this escape route. In this event the fire-fighters will bring a turntable ladder
to enable you to escape to safety through a window. Consequently, do not run around in the smoke nor jump out of
Why is the Fire Service sending me away?
a window. We will be there to get you out!
The area in which the Fire Service operates is usually dangerous. If you are required to leave such an area, then this is
done for your own safety!
We do much more!
The fire-fighting service will not only help you if there is a fire. It is also there to help you in the event of medical emergencies and accidents
We are happy to advise you!
Be it during fire safety education, safety-technical instructions in companies, during building projects or simply because
you have an unanswered question relating to fire safety - you will find the corresponding information on our homepage:
www.feuerwehr-frankfurt.de
Everything for
the well-being
of the Frankfurt
citizens!
help us to help you!
Keep escape routes free!
Furniture, bicycles, prams and other objects in a staircase are a potential danger. They can catch fire, obstruct the escape
route or hinder the Fire Service from accessing a smoke-filled area. Consequently, ensure that staircases and escape
routes are always kept free of obstacles!
Never store gas cylinders in living quarters!
Gas cylinders are a major threat that can even explode in the event of a fire. Never store gas cylinders in your
home!
Smoke alarms save lives!
The sooner a fire is detected, the greater the likelihood of your uninjured survival. That is why smoke
alarms are a must in the home!
Safeguard your
surrounding
area against
dangers!
what can i do to prevent fires?
help – i’m in a poor condition!
•
•
•
•
•
Never leave candles and open fires unattended.
Every day in Frankfurt there are 35 ambulances, 4 doctor’s emergency vehicles and 1 rescue helicopter ready for instant
Always use fire-proof bases.
deployment to help you and your fellow-beings in the event of an emergency. Only expert personnel are employed by
Keep flammable material well away from open flames and hot objects.
these rescue services, and they have been specifically trained for medical emergencies.
Do not smoke in bed.
Supervise your children. Playing with fire can quickly go dreadfully wrong. Explain to your children at the earliest
What can I expect?
possible age the dangers of fire. Allow your children to attend a fire protection education session of the Fire Service.
The rescue service will arrive as quickly as possible to administer immediate medical aid in keeping with the given symptoms.
For corresponding information refer to our homepage: www.feuerwehr-frankfurt.de
Usually, this is followed by transport to an appropriate hospital where a doctor will then continue the treatment. In order to
•
•
•
•
•
Only use faultless electrical appliances.
administer the correct treatment, the rescue personnel must - just as a doctor – consult your medical history and conduct a
Always switch off electrical appliances when you leave the room.
few on-the-spot examinations. Our personnel – just as your doctor – are obliged to maintain strict secrecy!
•
Never leave a switched-on cooker unattended.
Clean your extractor hood regularly because a greasy filter can easily catch fire.
When can the rescuers be called?
Never use water to extinguish saucepans or frying pans that are on fire as this could result in a fat explosion. Smother
For all emergencies the rescue service can be called with the emergency telephone number 112. Someone will be with
the flames with a lid.
you within the shortest possible time in the event of life-threatening painful conditions. In all other situations contact your
Never place flammable objects on a cooker.
family doctor or, during the night and at weekends, the emergency doctor of the health insurance service.
Furthermore:
Regretfully, it is not always possible to staff all rescue services with one women and one man. Consequently, it is important that you agree to an examination, however embarrassing this may be for you or impermissible by your religion. This
is the only way we can help you!
Never take
chances!
this job is our vocation!
voluntary commitment for our city!
The professional Frankfurt am Main Fire Service is a highly modern and innovative organisation where the personnel are
The Frankfurt am Main Volunteer Fire Service forms an integral part of the fire protection and assistance services of the
dedicated with complete professionalism and passion to their widely varying areas of work for the protection of Frankfurt
city. The voluntary fire fighters co-operate closely with their professional counterparts to make a significant contribution
am Main.
to safety in Frankfurt am Main.
The Fire Service protects the Frankfurt population round the clock for 365 days in the year. Apart from the actual fire
The Frankfurt am Main Volunteer Fire Service consists of a total of 28 district fire stations. Furthermore, there are also the
engines and auxiliary vehicles which are deployed in nearly all missions, there are also many different special-purpose ve-
rescue dog teams which are run as a specialised volunteer group, and membership in the Fire Service Association. The unit
hicles and items of equipment at various locations. These are brought into service by correspondingly trained fire fighters
is located in the former fire station building of the Höchst Volunteer Fire Service in the Höchst city district. All volunteer
to ensure that, in specific cases, efficient specialised aid is always assured. They include tall rescue ladders and environ-
fire services are assigned to a specific station of the professional fire service which supervises them.
ment lorries as well as divers. And a great deal more is needed than fire engines at the individual fire stations to ensure
an efficient professional service in all situations.
All district fire stations conduct their own fire protection assignments and simple technical assistance services and, depending on the given situation, are called to back-up the units of the professional fire service. The units of the Volunteer
There are a total of six specialised departments that maintain a round-the-clock service. The duties of these departments
Fire Service are also called or deployed independently in the event of special circumstances such as storms or large-scale
are so diverse that one is often not aware that the fire service is also responsible in a given area. Next to a continuous
damage. This is due to their integration in the specific deployment concepts of the specialised units (Catastrophe Protec-
process of personnel training and further education, the operation of a Control Centre and the organisation of effec-
tion Units, Supply Units, Decontamination Units, etc.)
tive protection in the event of catastrophes, there is also a preventive fire protection service that is committed to fire
prevention. The procurement and maintenance of the complex fire-fighting equipment and the maintenance of its own
For further information go to: www.kfv-ffm.de
independent communication infrastructure are also included in the duties of the Frankfurt am Main Fire Service, just as
fire protection education in kindergartens and schools, as well as contributing to the development and organisation of
safety structures at mass rallies or meetings. And all this is for your round-the-clock safety!
Are you interested in corresponding training or employment by the Frankfurt Fire Service?
For further information and the appropriate contact partners please refer to:
www.feuerwehr-frankfurt.de
Do you wish to
actively contribute to fire
protection?
we are totally dedicated to the next generation!
The Frankfurt Young People Service is one of the largest youth organisations in Frankfurt.
There are currently 480 members - 93 are girls – aged between 10 and 17 years who are committed to the service with
great enthusiasm. This means that the Young People Fire Service is represented in nearly every Frankfurt city district.
Obviously, general youth work is conducted in addition to the fire service training that is linked with the corresponding
vehicles and equipment.
The fire-fighting service training covers, along with the theory relating to the actual fire service equipment, also
their use in practice as well as the fundaments of “Fires & Extinguishing”, “First Aid” and similar areas.
As the Youth Department of the Fire Service – one of the largest relief organisations and the oldest citizen’s initiatives of Germany - the mediation of readiness to help, and including social commitment, are
just as much a matter of course as a life of tolerance and acceptance.
For further information please go to:
www.feuerwehr-frankfurt.de
Perfectly clear:
Readiness to
help can be
learnt!
Fire Service Frankfurt am Main
Headquarters
Press and Public Relations
Feuerwehrstr. 1
60435 Frankfurt am Main
www.feuerwehr-frankfurt.de
03.2013
Telephone: 069 – 212 72 00 - 51
Fax: 069 - 212 72 00 - 59
E-Mail: pressestelle.feuerwehr@stadt-frankfurt.de